According to Conte, who’s been reported to have had problems with Roman Abramovich’s right-hand woman Marina Granovskaia, the Blues need to keep on spending if they are to go shoulder to shoulder with the Citizens.

“I think Manchester City in this season is a strong team. Also last season, Manchester City were a fantastic team. Then, after the transfer market, they bought their first targets and then they have improved a lot.

“They can do this also in January maybe and in the future. For this reason, we must be worried because if we want to compete this season with Manchester City we have to work and make the best decisions in the market.”

Conte’s team was left thin in some areas following the summer transfer window with the Italian trying to communicate to the board that the lack of depth has not allowed him to rotate the team properly amidst the Blues taking part in the Champions League this season in contrast to last term.

It is understood Conte wants to bring in no less than two new faces in January with Andrea Belotti, Arturo Vidal, Leon Goretzka and Alex Sandro among a host of names the Blues are rumoured to be interested.